Umair Gaines
Electric planes are becoming an increasingly viable solution to sustainable travel. In the UK, several companies are leading the way in electric aviation projects. One such company is ZeroAvia, which demonstrated the first flight of a 19-seater Dornier 228 retrofitted with a hydrogen-electric powertrain. Another example is GKN Aerospace, which is developing the UK's first hydrogen propulsion system for aircraft through its H2GEAR programme. Ampaire, a company that has developed the 'Electric EEL', a six-seat all-electric aircraft, and the 'Eco Otter SX', a nineteen-seat hybrid-electric aircraft, is also making strides in the UK electric aviation industry. Additionally, startups like Aerovolt are working to build the infrastructure required for electric planes by launching the world's first electric aircraft charging network.
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What You'll Learn
Electric Aviation Projects in the UK
Electric aviation projects are gaining momentum in the UK, with several companies and institutes working on innovative solutions for sustainable air travel. One notable project is led by ZeroAvia, which aims to decarbonise medium-range small passenger aircraft by replacing conventional piston engines with electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, and gas storage. This joint government and industry investment demonstrates the UK's commitment to maintaining its competitive position in civil aerospace design and manufacturing.
Another project, hosted by institutes and companies such as Logan Air, Rolls-Royce Electrical, Nottingham University, and Exeter and Devon Airports, aims to improve regional services and provide more time and energy-efficient travel options. Ampaire's six-seat all-electric aircraft, the 'Electric EEL', and the nineteen-seat hybrid-electric 'Eco Otter SX' will be used as model aircraft to develop and evaluate requirements for future fully integrated electric aviation infrastructures.
GKN Aerospace, a UK-based company, is also making strides in electric aviation. They are leading the H2GEAR programme, which aims to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft, with the potential to scale up to larger aircraft. This project has received £27 million in ATI funding and is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs in the next decade.
In addition to these projects, the UK startup Aerovolt has launched the world's first electric aircraft charging network, addressing the need for infrastructure to support the growing fleet of electric planes. The Velis Electro, a two-seater electric plane, is one of the few electric planes in operation today, and Aerovolt is working to make charging more accessible and affordable for pilots.
Furthermore, MagniX, a technology platform, is developing powertrains and batteries for the electrification of transportation. They have successfully powered all-electric flights of modified helicopters and seaplanes, as well as partnering with NASA on hybrid-electric systems, demonstrating their commitment to advancing electric aviation.
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Hydrogen propulsion systems
Several companies are working on electric aviation projects in the UK. GKN Aerospace, for instance, is leading a groundbreaking collaboration programme called H2GEAR, which aims to develop the company's first hydrogen propulsion system. The programme is supported by £27 million of ATI funding and aims to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that could be scaled up to larger aircraft.
Liquid hydrogen will be converted to electricity within a fuel cell system, efficiently powering the aircraft and eliminating CO2 emissions. GKN Aerospace will collaborate with several universities and companies, including Intelligent Energy, Aeristech, Newcastle University, The University of Manchester, and the University of Birmingham. The programme will be delivered from GKN Aerospace's Global Technology Centre in Bristol.
Another company, ZeroAvia, demonstrated the maiden flight of a 19-seater Dornier 228 retrofitted with a prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain in 2023. This was the biggest plane to have ever flown on hydrogen power. ZeroAvia is also working on the HyFlyer project, which aims to decarbonise medium-range small passenger aircraft by demonstrating powertrain technology to replace conventional piston engines in propeller aircraft.
Other notable electric aviation projects in the UK include Ampaire's 'Electric EEL', a six-seat all-electric aircraft, and the 'Eco Otter SX', a nineteen-seat hybrid-electric upgrade of the Twin Otter commuter aircraft. These model aircraft will be used to develop and evaluate requirements for future fully integrated electric aviation infrastructures.
Additionally, UK startup Aerovolt has launched the world's first electric aircraft charging network, with its charging points available at select airfields.
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Electric charging networks
Electric aircraft are becoming increasingly popular, with several companies developing commercially available electric planes. However, the challenge remains to create a viable electric aircraft capable of carrying a large number of passengers. As the number of electric planes increases, the need for charging infrastructure becomes more pressing.
Aerovolt, a UK startup, has recognised this need and launched the world's first electric aircraft charging network. The company has developed charging points that can be installed at airfields for £35-50k. These charging points are supplied by aerospace power solutions company Eaton and are available to anyone with £20k to spend. Aerovolt has also created an operating system that enables pilots to book and pay for charging slots. A 30-minute charge for a Velis Electro with a 20kW engine costs approximately £17, which is predicted to be cheaper than conventional flights.
However, the challenge of charging larger electric planes remains. As electric planes get bigger, drawing power from the grid to charge them becomes more difficult. This is the primary barrier to the suitability of an airfield for Aerovolt's charging points. Of the 70 airfields Aerovolt is targeting, 15-20% will require some form of energy storage system.
Despite this challenge, investors have shown interest in the company. Aerovolt raised £400k from 7percent Ventures and is currently raising an additional £3.5 million. The company's six charging points are now live on Octopus Energy's Electroverse EV network app, which helps EV owners locate available charging points.
As the number of electric planes continues to grow, the development of charging networks like Aerovolt's will be crucial to supporting the infrastructure required for electric aviation.
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Electric flight technology
Pipistrel's Velis Electro
The Velis Electro, made in Slovenia, was certified as safe to fly by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and became the first fully certified electric aircraft in the world. It has a modest range of 75 miles and can't fly in the rain. It is one of just a handful of electric planes in operation today, with only 10 of the 19,000 privately owned planes registered in the UK being electric.
Ampaire's Electric EEL
Ampaire's six-seat all-electric aircraft, the 'Electric EEL', will be used as a model aircraft to develop and evaluate requirements for future fully integrated electric aviation infrastructures. Ampaire is also developing the 'Eco Otter SX', a 19-seat hybrid-electric upgrade of the Twin Otter commuter aircraft.
ZeroAvia's Hydrogen-Electric Powertrain
ZeroAvia is leading the HyFlyer project, which aims to decarbonize medium-range small passenger aircraft by replacing conventional piston engines with electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells, and gas storage. In 2023, they demonstrated the maiden flight of a 19-seater Dornier 228 retrofitted with a prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain.
GKN Aerospace's H2GEAR
GKN Aerospace is leading a UK collaboration programme called H2GEAR to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft. The system converts liquid hydrogen to electricity within a fuel cell, eliminating CO2 emissions and creating a new generation of clean air travel.
MagniX's Electric Powertrains
MagniX is developing powertrains and batteries for the electrification of transportation, including aircraft and marine craft. They have successfully powered the all-electric flight of a modified Robinson R44 helicopter and the world's first flight-tested all-electric commuter aircraft, the Eviation Alice. MagniX is also working with NASA on a hybrid-electric De Havilland Dash 7.
Other Notable Companies
Several other companies are also working on electric flight technology, including Boeing, RTX, Airbus, Joby Aviation, and Yuneec. Startups are also entering the market, such as Sweden's Heart Aerospace, which is building a 30-seater plane with a 200-mile range, and the Netherlands' Elysian Aircraft, which is developing a 90-seater electric plane.
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Electric plane companies
Pipistrel
Pipistrel's Velis Electro was the first fully certified electric aircraft in the world. It's a two-seater with a modest range of 75 miles, and it's currently the only electric aircraft in operation. The company is also working on a four-seater Electro with a range of 200 miles, and they're collaborating with the EU on the Unifier 19 project, which aims to develop a low-noise, low-carbon emissions 'mini liner' to connect remote areas within Europe.
Ampaire
Ampaire is leading a project in the UK that aims to improve regional services and provide more time and energy-efficient travel options. Their six-seat all-electric aircraft, the 'Electric EEL', and their nineteen-seat hybrid-electric upgrade of the Twin Otter commuter aircraft, the 'Eco Otter SX', will be used as model aircraft to develop and evaluate requirements for future fully integrated electric aviation infrastructures.
ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia is a company leading the HyFlyer project, which aims to decarbonise medium-range small passenger aircraft by demonstrating powertrain technology to replace conventional piston engines in propeller aircraft. In 2023, they demonstrated the maiden flight of a 19-seater Dornier 228 retrofitted with a prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain.
MagniX
MagniX is a technology platform developing powertrains and batteries for the electrification of transportation. They have successfully powered the all-electric flight of a modified Robinson R44 helicopter and the world's first flight-tested all-electric commuter aircraft, the Eviation Alice. They are also developing a hybrid-electric De Havilland Dash 7 in partnership with NASA.
GKN Aerospace
GKN Aerospace is leading the H2GEAR programme in the UK, which aims to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for sub-regional aircraft that can be scaled up to larger aircraft. They are collaborating with universities and companies such as Intelligent Energy and Aeristech to create more than 3,000 jobs in the next decade.
Other notable electric plane companies include Boeing, RTX, Airbus, Joby Aviation, and Yuneec.
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Frequently asked questions
Several companies are developing electric planes in the UK, including:
- GKN Aerospace, which is leading the H2GEAR programme to develop a liquid hydrogen propulsion system for aircraft.
- ZeroAvia, which is working on the HyFlyer project to demonstrate powertrain technology for small passenger aircraft.
- Ampaire, which has developed the 'Electric EEL', a six-seat all-electric aircraft, and the 'Eco Otter SX', a nineteen-seat hybrid-electric aircraft.
- Fardair, which is working on the BEHA project, a hybrid-electric aircraft with unique structural features.
- Aerovolt, a startup that has launched the world's first electric aircraft charging network.
Other companies outside of the UK that are developing electric planes include Pipistrel, Eviation, Elysian Aircraft, Joby Aviation, and magniX.
Electric planes have the potential to reduce emissions, noise, and costs associated with traditional aircraft. They can also improve regional travel by providing more time and energy-efficient options.
One of the main challenges is developing commercially viable electric aircraft that can carry a large number of passengers. Another challenge is the infrastructure required to support electric planes, such as charging stations and energy storage systems.
There are several types of electric planes in development, including battery-powered planes, hydrogen-electric planes, and hybrid-electric planes. Some companies are also working on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The EASA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, has certified at least one electric plane as safe to fly. However, there are still concerns about the alternative fuels required to power electric planes and the political will to adopt them.
